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On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea

The war left almost three million Koreans dead or wounded and millions of others homeless and separated from their families.

The Second Republic under the leadership of Chang Myon ended after only one year, when Major General Park Chung-hee led a military coup. Park's rule, which resulted in tremendous economic growth and development but increasingly restricted political freedoms, ended with his assassination in 1979

. Subsequently, a powerful group of military officers, led by Lieutenant General Chun Doo Hwan, declared martial law and took power.

movements reached a climax after Chun's 1979 coup and declaration of martial law.

Former business executive and Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak's 5-year term begins with his inauguration on February 25, 2008.

In 1987, Roh Tae-woo, a former general, was elected president

1992 election of a long-time pro-democracy activist, Kim Young-sam. Kim became Korea's first civilian elected president in 32 years.

Thereafter, pro-democracy activities intensified even more, ultimately forcing political concessions by the government in 1987, including the restoration of direct presidential elections.

Natural resources: Limited coal, iron ore, limestone, kaolinite, and graphite.Agriculture, including forestry and fisheries: Products--rice, vegetables, fruit, root crops, barley; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs, fish. Arable land--17% of land area

PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Korean(s).Population (2006): 48,846,823.Population annual growth rate (2006): 0.42%.Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese minority.Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Shamanism, Confucianism, Chondogyo.Language: Korean.Education: Years compulsory--9. Enrollment--11.5 million. Attendance--middle school 99%, high school 95%. Literacy--98%.Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--6.16/1,000. Life expectancy--77.0 yrs (men 73.6 yrs.; women 80.8 yrs).Work force (2005): 23.53 million. Services--67.2%; mining and manufacturing--26.4%; agriculture--6.4%.

(9) VOTE - mail your ballot not later than October 15th of the election year.

(10) Use the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot if you are overseas and your State absentee ballot does not arrive in time to be mailed back by your state’s deadline.

Overseas American citizens vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and can all register to vote from abroad using OVF’s services.

Among young people, the person who issued the invitation usually pays. If you're out with a group, the bill is split and everyone pitches in. Among older Koreans, one person will take care of the bill, and roles will switch the next time.

Tipping is not a traditional Korean custom; however, a 10 percent service charge is added to bills at all tourist hotels and tipping is not expected. It's never necessary to tip a taxi driver unless he assists you with your luggage or takes you to or from the airport.

South Koreans are averse to overt physical contact between members of the opposite sex. They generally limit interpersonal contact to a courteous handshake; however, very good friends are often physical with each other, so don't be surprised to see men and women walking hand-in-hand with a member of the same sex. Public displays of affection between couples, like hugging and kissing, are considered very improper.

South Korean public baths, moyoktang, are wonderful. After a long, stressful day, there's nothing like a steamy sauna and bath to wash away your troubles. Moyoktang are found throughout the city and cost about W2,352 (US$2.85). There are usually showers to use before entering the hot tub. Many places also have a cold water tank, which is amazingly refreshing after a piping hot sauna. A special feature of the baths is the underwear-clad massage. For about W6,000–W8,000 ($7.30–$9.70 plus tip) the masseuses will scrub you down with hot water and towels, removing all traces of grime. You've never known the true meaning of "squeaky-clean" until you've experienced the wonderful traditions at the public bath.

Dessert nearly always consists of fresh fruit. Foods of any kind should not be picked up with your fingers. Fruit is eaten in slices with forks

Also, do not blow your nose when anyone is present, especially if eating.

The goal of the nation is to overcome problems rooted in the past by creating an economic structure suitable for an advanced economy.

Korea, once known to be one of the world's poorest agrarian societies, has undertaken economic development in earnest since 1962

many successful development programs were implemented. As a result, from 1962 to 2006, Korea's Gross National Income (GNI) increased from US$2.3 billion to US$887.3 billion, with its per capita GNI soaring from $87 to about $18,372.